Duty Now for the Future / New Traditionalists [Extra tracks, Import]

Devo | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 27, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Virgin
• ASIN: B000006Y6P
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #67,302 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Devo Corporate Anthem

2. Clockout

3. Timing X

4. Wiggly World

5. Blockhead

6. Strange Pursuits

7. S.I.B. (Swelling Itching

8. Triumph Of The Will

9. Day My Baby Gave Me A

10. Pink Pussy Cat

11. Secret Agent Man

12. Smart Patrol/Mr Dna

13. Redeye Express

14. Through Being Cool

15. Jerkin'back 'N'forth

16. Pity You

17. Soft Things

18. Going Under

19. Race Of Doom

20. Love Without Anger

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Two 'de-Volving' Devo Releases on One CD! Contains 1979's Sophmore Effort ('Duty Now for the Future') and 1981's 'New Traditionalists', the Group's Fourth Studio Effort. Features the Songs: 'Wiggly World', 'Strange Pursuits', 'Secret Agent Man' (From 'd.n.f.t.f.') And 'Through Being Cool', 'Working in the Coal Mine' and 'Race of Doom' (From 'n.t.').

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Duty Now" is by far Devo's best work., May 21, 2001

By 

Alvin Johannes (Antarctica) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Duty Now for the Future / New Traditionalists (Audio CD)

Don't get me wrong. I think Devo's 1978 debut "Q: Are We Not Men?" is a classic in the post-punk genre. 1980's "Freedom Of Choice," their most commercially successful album is quite good as well, even if it is a tiny bit more lightweight. However, the best, most essential work of Devo, 1979's "Duty Now For The Future," often gets overlooked, probably due to the fact that it's been out of print in the US since the 80's, and due to the fact that it's sandwiched inbetween a fan-fave, and a commercial breakthrough. Please, please, don't be like the misguided Amazon reviewer who insists that "Are We Not Men" is Devo's only work that matters. Every track on "Duty Now" (save perhaps "Red Eye Express") is a keeper, from the claustrophobic "Swelling Itching Brain" to the emotionally charged (from Devo? Yes!) pop anthem "The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprise" to the odd-metered, yet supremely catchy "Blockhead." Production-wise, it's their best sounding and least-dated album, with a crisp, clear sound, and a perfect balance of guitars and keyboards that holds up better than the late-70's-punk-101 mix of "Are We Not Men" to the overtly-80's-synth-pop production of their next three albums, (though all are very good) and one wonders if "Duty Now" didn't actually come out in the last five years.

And let's face it. If you've even ever been curious about Devo beyond "Whip It," you're going to end up buying all of their first five albums anyway. If you're interested enough to actually be reading this instead of simply adding "Greatest Hits" to your shopping cart so you can have a laugh the next time you play "Whip It" at your next keg party, you're pretty much a Devo fan anyway.

As a bonus, 1981's "New Traditionalists" is also included, and while it is just a slight bit weaker than their first three albums, it's worth picking up due to Devo staples like "Through Being Cool," "Going Under," and "Jerkin' Back And Forth."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a great pair!, June 13, 2003

By 

Michael G. Hannaford (Sacramento, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Duty Now for the Future / New Traditionalists (Audio CD)

I suppose it was just some bozo in marketing that prevented these dual sets from being released in proper chronological order... it would have been so much more satisfying to have Q: and Duty Now on one disc, and Freedom of Choice / New Traditionalists on the other, but whatever, such is life.

At any rate, these are still two of my all-time favorite albums hanging out in one place, which is very, very good for the world. New Traditionalists boasts some classic songs, e.g. the oft-mentioned Beautiful World and Through Being Cool, and my personal favorites, Jerkin Back & Forth and Going Under; and I just adore the hilarity that is Duty Now for the Future - from the somber strands of Devo Corporate Anthem to the rollickin' good time of Smart Patrol/Mr. DNA, this album is chock full of great songs, bizarre sounds, and more of that early, rawer (read: guitar/bass/drums rather than synth) sound.

All in all, excellent music, excellent entertainment, and a great antidote to having accidentally listened to some of those terrible later releases like Shout or Smooth Noodle Maps.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is it on? Is it off? Reply!, January 22, 2004

By 

Terence J. Miles "Terry" (Sutherland, IA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Duty Now for the Future / New Traditionalists (Audio CD)

This CD represents an unusual yet remarkable pairing of two absolutely essential recordings by the Spud Boys from Akron.

After the tour-de-force that was Devo's first full-length album, "Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!", the band switched gears and switched producers from Brian Eno to Ken Scott (known for his work with Supertramp, among others), to produce a chilling, icy work, still with intelligence, energy, and quirky creativity, but with a sound that smacked of anything but commercialism (listen to "Timing X" and "S.I.B"), and was nonetheless very appealling in an emotionally backdoor way; disturbingly catchy, a metaphor for the desire our darker consciousness emits.

I always felt "Freedom Of Choice" was the band's attempt at gaining a more commercial acceptance; not a bad record, but light-hearted when compared to the first two major releases. That's one of the reasons I was glad to see "New Traditionalists" coupled with "Duty Now...". It returned the band to a harder sound, more reminiscent of "Are We Not Men...", while somewhat refuting their more commercial leanings of "Freedom" with songs such as "Through Being Cool" and "Pity You". The attitude was still there, the vision, the disturbing catchiness. They hadn't lost it after all; if anything, they were juxtaposing their original fan base with those who came along upon hearing "Whip It". And it worked very well.

Get this CD. It will inform, entertain, and satirize as only Mothersbaugh and company could. Even 20-plus years down the line.